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Saturday, August 8, 2009

Cycle 2, days 4-5: doing great, but Cooper's sick :(

I've been feeling really good other than being exhausted from being up all night for a couple nights with Cooper who has come down with strep throat. :( I posted all about it to Cooper's blog. I've been concerned about the risk and effect of me catching it but the oncology nurses have assured me that my white blood cell counts have been great due to the Nuelasta shots so I should be OK even if I do catch it but they do want me to call the office if I become symptomatic and to keep an eye on my temperature and notify them if I get a fever. The first 24 hours that Cooper was sick I wore a surgical mask when holding him and also when I him to the pediatrician and my hands are dry from washing them so much. Thankfully I haven't had any symptoms and I am hoping and praying it stays that way.
As for chemo side effects for these past couple of days - no new ones, and the ones from last time have stayed away too! Even with the lack of sleep from Cooper keeping me up the past couple nights, it's amazing how good I'm feeling other than feeling tired (and a bit grumpy from being tired). I mentioned this to my friend Michelle who is my chemo nurse and I joked with her asking her if she's sure the stuff (chemo) got into my body or if the dose is right. She said some people do really great with it and others just have a really tough time and some cycles will be great and others could be hard or awful. My only complaint is I have gained about 5-6 pounds back in less than a week's time even though my diet and activity hasn't changed so I think I am having the chemo water retention thing a bit. I'm not concerned about it though since I had lost about 10-12 lbs after my surgery just from changing over to a new organic and high protein diet and I have plenty of clothes to wear that fit me if I end up hanging onto these pounds for a while.
Anywho, I'm happy that rounds one and two have thus far been good to me, with the second being easier than the first so far when comparing cycle days and I'm keeping notes (woohoo!!). I'm sure the exhaustion and lack of rest from caring for my sick baby boy is going to catch up with me if I don't do something about it asap so right now I'm going to log off and take a nap while the sitter is here watching Cooper and my folks are helping me out with the backlog of household chores that none of us could get to the past few days due to Cooper being sick and clingy and everyone being so tired due to the lack of sleep at night these past few days.
This cycle isn't over yet but I'm happy with how it's going so far. I have 6 more to go - that's a lot. Many people end up with just 4 or 6 total. But I'm celebrating all the little victories along the way since we never know what we'll come upon down the road. Kind of like how this situation popped up - just when you're not expecting it - so smell the roses, enjoy the fresh air, play with the baby, cherish the good moments of all kinds because you just don't know what's around the corner, do you?
Now I'm going to take a much needed nap. Love and blessings to all of you. Thank you so much for being here for me through this!

Hi, my name is Sharla Rhoden, 36 years old, mpther of a 3 year old, devoted wife. I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer last year. I have been thru chemo & radiation & when I went for my mastectomy, the surgeon found another tumor in my armpit. The pathology results from the breast they took off also showed residual tumor. PET scan shows that it has spread to my liver & bones. I am being told that I should go to the mainland (I currently live in Hawaii) to receive other treatment (the docs are thinking Texas). What chemo drugs are you on? Please email me. It's so good to know that I am not alone on this journey & that there is hope in killing this cancer. My email is hawngrl@hotmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon.Sincerely - Sharla Rhoden

I found the perfect martini glass for you this weekend in a little boutique but it was $26! (which is a little out of my price range these days) But I thought of you the moment I saw it. It had pink ribbons painted on, a pink stem, and pink ribbons glued to the base. On the bottom there was a recipe for Pink Ribbon. I believe it was 2 oz Vodka, 3 oz Triple Sec, and Pink Lemonade

Aww, I'm sorry it turned out ot be srep afterall. That's got to to be super-tough. I hope Cooper's doing better today and sleep will be restored to your household soon.

I'm so happy to hear that you are doing so well with the chemo. I'm sure part of that has to do with your awesome attitude about it. Not everyone can look at something like chemo meds in such a positive light. All of the other things you are doing must be helping a lot, too. You're one tough cookie, Julie! 8)

Poor Cooper! I hope he is feeling his chipper self soon! You are amazing and ass- kicking! I am glad to hear you are feeling pretty good! You are so strong! I was thinking of you this weekend when I was up in Oregon with some of my girlfriends- we all used to to the race for the cure together and I am going to do it this year again- in your badass honor!

Pink Wig Dance

About Me

I'm a Christian, a mom, a wife, a daughter, a sister, an employee, an activist, a friend, a neighbor, and now I'm also a breast cancer warrior and SURVIVOR! This blog chronicles my diagnosis, treatment, and victories against breast cancer.